Related
Does anyone have any experience buying the HTC Desire from China?
I read that the Nexus One has been cloned. I see no official report that the HTC Desire has also been cloned, but I have noticed a lot of suppliers selling the Desire through Alibaba. I am wondering if these are clones too.
Today I bought an HTC Desire off eBay from China which is supposed to be brand new in the box.
It was rediculously cheap - 50-60% cheaper than the cost of an HTC Desire from a US seller.
Now I am worried it's a clone.
I have protection from eBay PayPal so I should be ok, but I am curious to hear what people think.
Also, does anyone know of a program which will read and tell me the hardware specifications of my HTC? I'm looking for one of those apps like Intel provides to give you the model and serial number of your processor on your PC. I figure this is one way of confirming whether I have a real HTC phone when it arrives.
Any link to the eBay auction?
The "clones" of these high end cellphones in China are pretty fake. They resemble the real ones, but one can easily tell the difference. They definitely don't run android, and run some variation of Linux that is skinned to look like iPhone/WinMo/Android.
Once you have it in hand, it would be very obvious to you whether it is fake, either from the hardware or from the software, so there is no need to use any software to check the hardware specification.
There is no Nexus One/Desire clones that runs real Android or equipped with Snapdragon. Again, if it is a fake, it will be VERY obvious.
Thanks for your reply.
Here is the link.
I will ask the seller to send me pics he took instead of the ones he copied.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260611334391&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
$170 US for a Desire!! from a zero feedback seller in China.....id never go near such.
I know.
I am betting on eBay and PayPal buyer protection to save me if needed.
giant_rider said:
I know.
I am betting on eBay and PayPal buyer protection to save me if needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Judging from the fact that the image is just ripped from some blog site and not even an HTC press release shot, combined with the sellers score: 0. So no sales or even any buys to the account...
I would be very surprised if this guy has even seen a Desire in person, forget you receiving one in the mail from this seller
Is it really worth the trouble?
I can tell you with no doubt, its a fake one! Because even in China, you won't get a real 2nd hand desire at that price.
-------------------------------------
Sent from my HTC Desire
Alex_w said:
Judging from the fact that the image is just ripped from some blog site and not even an HTC press release shot, combined with the sellers score: 0. So no sales or even any buys to the account...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This alone does not convince me.
When I sell items, I am lazy and rip images and descriptions from other listing.
However, add this to the fact that the seller has no scores...so maybe.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
If it's too good to be true, it definitely is.
Sent from my HTC Desire
Are you serious when you said you bought it? HTC desire for 170 unlocked..really?
Where I live, I can barely get a dumbphone unlocked for that money.
Well, the picture was taken from some blog and the spec were copied from HTC website. That page alone can't tell whether the phone is real or not.
But as I said before, those Chinese clones of high end phones look really fake, and those Chinese sellers are not trying to scam people into believe that they are real. There is a market for cheap look-alike phones in China, and that market is what those "clones" are for.
People, the $170 final price is the result of an AUCTION, not a buy-it-now price. My bet is that this phone is real, but the fact that the seller is from China, together with the fact that he has 0 feedback, making no one wanted to bid on it. I highly doubt that he will ship you the phone, given how low the final price is. He will probably make up an excuse not to ship you the phone (out of stock, wrong listing, blah blah blah), and then refund you (I you had paid already). If he did ship you the phone, you win. If he shipped you a super fake clone, Paypal will get your money back. The only thing you will lose is time.
I took a chance on a simular "deal" for a HD2 and I was sent a small pink noname brand(actually works, my woman loves it) and a FAKE Iphone 3G. Get you paypal refund info ready.
G
tsekh501 said:
Well, the picture was taken from some blog and the spec were copied from HTC website. That page alone can't tell whether the phone is real or not.
But as I said before, those Chinese clones of high end phones look really fake, and those Chinese sellers are not trying to scam people into believe that they are real. There is a market for cheap look-alike phones in China, and that market is what those "clones" are for.
People, the $170 final price is the result of an AUCTION, not a buy-it-now price. My bet is that this phone is real, but the fact that the seller is from China, together with the fact that he has 0 feedback, making no one wanted to bid on it. I highly doubt that he will ship you the phone, given how low the final price is. He will probably make up an excuse not to ship you the phone (out of stock, wrong listing, blah blah blah), and then refund you (I you had paid already). If he did ship you the phone, you win. If he shipped you a super fake clone, Paypal will get your money back. The only thing you will lose is time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same thoughts.
I will see what I do.
I have not paid yet and can back out if I like by cancelling my transaction before payment.
I emailed the seller and asked for real pictures, why he is selling, what the serial number is, etc. I will see if he answers.
Unfortunately the seller's English is pretty bad so communicating is difficult.
Thanks everyone for your replies.
HTC doesn't sell cellphones in China offically
ebay buyer protection isn't worth ****. I got screwed when buying a PDA a couple years ago. ebay contacted me and told me not to send payment as his account was suspended. Unfortunately, I already had and received a box with a small rock in it which weighed what the PDA should.
I got about $200 back from ebay but I paid the guy $600.
USE YOUR CREDIT CARD AND YOU'LL BE FINE. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY.
Here are my golden rules for ebay, I hope this helps ....
NEVER buy a 'brand new' phone from ebay. You probably wont ever be able to return it, and might not have any kind of warranty.
Never buy anything from a seller with zero feedback. You simply cannot trust them if they do not have any reputation.
Never buy anything from China (unless you are sure about the seller).
st0kes said:
Here are my golden rules for ebay, I hope this helps ....
NEVER buy a 'brand new' phone from ebay. You probably wont ever be able to return it, and might not have any kind of warranty.
Never buy anything from a seller with zero feedback. You simply cannot trust them if they do not have any reputation.
Never buy anything from China (unless you are sure about the seller).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add to this list only buy form China if you think the money is worth the risk
But 170 bucks isnt worth it for me maby for you then take your chances
0 feedback seller from China...
I bought a while ago a Sony headset from China (was dead cheap so gave it a try), the seller had plenty of feedback and I eventually got the headphones. They looked so good, very real. But the sound... was worse than the cheapest pound store ones!! Funny thing is the seller disapperaed from Ebay straight after the paypal payment... no refund for the fakes. I def learned my lesson.
I have seen a lot of this fake seller in china, all of them have 0 feedback or some fake feedbacks. Usually the sell all phones they can in a short period of time, and after that you get nothing and they will delete their ebay account.
I hope this one is not like it
It's one of either two things.
You got scammed and will be sent nothing (Which is what i'm expecting)
Or
You're going to be sent a very very bad nexus one clone.
I already have one, and I love it. So does my family, they all want one. I've been asked to search for one for my mother.
I got mine from Clove when it came out for 330, which ended up being roughly $600 Australian, a fantastic deal. I'm just curious to know, after a few months, where people have been getting them and whether they've been cheaper elsewhere.
Also, if possible, where I might find a cheap Silver model for around the same price (it would make it easier to tell the second one apart). All the expansys models end up totaling $700-$800 which is way too much.
Thanks in advance.
Macca2805 said:
I already have one, and I love it. So does my family, they all want one. I've been asked to search for one for my mother.
I got mine from Clove when it came out for 330, which ended up being roughly $600 Australian, a fantastic deal. I'm just curious to know, after a few months, where people have been getting them and whether they've been cheaper elsewhere.
Also, if possible, where I might find a cheap Silver model for around the same price (it would make it easier to tell the second one apart). All the expansys models end up totaling $700-$800 which is way too much.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
checkout Handtec.com, i found their prices to be the lowest, and they ship worldwide!
Ok cool the handtec shop has the phone for a tiny bit less.
How about the silver one? I found one on a European website and I couldn't read the shipping information but the phone was ~$700 AUD. Anyone know of a better price getting around?
I think you mean pdashop.nl and they say that they have an exclusive deal with HTC for that, but I don't think they ship to Australia
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
(i'll have a hard time not calling it that...)
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=28620
http://www.expansys-usa.com/google-nexus-prime-android-smartphone-unlocked-16gb-224148/
anyone have any experience with mobile city? i got my nexus s from negri, and it went ok, but i've never used them. i understand expansys has a decent reputation. i used mad monkey boys gadgets to order my htc kaiser in 07, but they've since gone under. any experience?
eric b
$749.99 where's they pull that out of? lol
I'm down at 550 but 750? I really hope it isn't 750.
how much was a nexus s when it came out?
I think both nexus's were in the range of $550 when they debuted. There is no way in hell the galaxy nexus is worth above $600. In 3 months the phone will have lost a third of its value.
I voided my warranty and your mum.
not sure how much they were if they were ordered through google. i ordered one of the white nexus s models (before at+t released their subsidized one) on negri the day it appeared on the site for 598.50.
eric b
my nexus S at release from BB was 580
not too sure but just thought id point this out, the one in the first link has buttons so to my knowledge that can't even be it...correct? ICS= no hardware buttons
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
i see a volume rocker and power button as the only physical buttons?
eric b
I wouldnt trust any of those links/vendors with any of my money
e-dub said:
i see a volume rocker and power button as the only physical buttons?
eric b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should be it!
yeah, not sure what other buttons veritasaequita is referring to.
eric b
I pre-ordered it yesterday from Handtec, hopefully among the first ones
Have bought a sgs2 from mobilecityonline.com and didn't have any issues. On expansys they are well known site for selling unlocked imported phones, so you should be ok. But yeah the prices are always on the higher side on these sites. International SGS2 was initially selling at $750 in expansys at the time of release.
Clove co.uk = 812 USD, 590 €, 430 GBP
with EU VAT number = 512 €, 705 USD
Calculations made for my country, Slovenia
Im pretty happy with 512 €, just need to sell GS2 for at least 350 €
kirdroid said:
Have bought a sgs2 from mobilecityonline.com and didn't have any issues. On expansys they are well known site for selling unlocked imported phones, so you should be ok. But yeah the prices are always on the higher side on these sites. International SGS2 was initially selling at $750 in expansys at the time of release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool, glad to hear that! i know the price will be more than buying one from a carrier, i was more worried about the reputation since i've never used or heard of mobile city online. thanks!
eric b
That Clove price is pre VAT though right? Including VAT it's around £516
all these foreign pre-orders make me sad,
http://www.belsimpel.nl/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-Nexus-i9250-Black
for the dutch people...
Gum Mobile is selling it for 520 VAT Included and saying its coming on 7th November
http://www.facebook.com/pages/GumMobilecom/188369888273
http://www.gummobile.com/phones/Samsung_Galaxy_Nexus_16GB_Sim_Free.aspx
Clove is saying its coming on 17th November, Expansys no info yet? from my past experience I think Clove is more reliable in dates...
It costs a lot! still nothing for the 32gb .....
nasgilani said:
Gum Mobile is selling it for 520 VAT Included and saying its coming on 7th November
http://www.facebook.com/pages/GumMobilecom/188369888273
http://www.gummobile.com/phones/Samsung_Galaxy_Nexus_16GB_Sim_Free.aspx
Clove is saying its coming on 17th November, Expansys no info yet? from my past experience I think Clove is more reliable in dates...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where does Clove say 17 November?
Currently, an unlocked htc m8 is available in Amazon for 670 dollars. It's 30 dollars cheaper than the original price. Why is that? I'm a little scared to buy it because I have read in the reviews that they received a 16gb version not the 32gb. I just don't want trouble like returning the phone or something.
jfodra said:
Currently, an unlocked htc m8 is available in Amazon for 670 dollars. It's 30 dollars cheaper than the original price. Why is that? I'm a little scared to buy it because I have read in the reviews that they received a 16gb version not the 32gb. I just don't want trouble like returning the phone or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 32gb from T-Mobile. First of all in my opinion all of the phones in the One family are the best most professional and elegant Android devices on the market today. I view them as cool Android devices for adults.
As far Amazon and getting a phone from there. I got two from them when I was on Sprint. They were both upgrades and Amazon only charged $.01 for each when Sprint was charging at least $50 for the upgrades. They got here in 2 days. It was a fabulous experience.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
jfodra said:
Currently, an unlocked htc m8 is available in Amazon for 670 dollars. It's 30 dollars cheaper than the original price. Why is that? I'm a little scared to buy it because I have read in the reviews that they received a 16gb version not the 32gb. I just don't want trouble like returning the phone or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your most telling comment were the reviews. The fact people aren't getting what they paid for. Remember $670 for a 32gb might be a good deal. Same price for a 16gb isn't
If the reviews aren't good I always stay away. Especially if all you're saving is $30
grentuu said:
I think your most telling comment were the reviews. The fact people aren't getting what they paid for. Remember $670 for a 32gb might be a good deal. Same price for a 16gb isn't
If the reviews aren't good I always stay away. Especially if all you're saving is $30
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is labeled as 32gb. And there's like only 2 reviewers who said they received a 16gb version so it looks like a good deal. Thank you for your replies. I'm just a little curious on how they can sell it cheaper.
jfodra said:
It is labeled as 32gb. And there's like only 2 reviewers who said they received a 16gb version so it looks like a good deal. Thank you for your replies. I'm just a little curious on how they can sell it cheaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon is high volume, and they can afford to cut prices by not having a brick and mortar stores. Plus their logistics (delivery network) are unmatched. All of this means they can pretty much undercut most the competition on price (and therefore attract higher sales volume), and still make enough profit to be successful.
The purchase is direct from Amazon, correct (and not a 3rd party vendor that sells on Amazon as a portal)? If its the same listing I am looking at, it is. Amazon is really reliable. But mistakes just get made once in a while.
Merchandise returns are extremely easy on Amazon, in the event you end up having to do one. They give you a UPS label to print out, just slap it on the box it shipped in and seal the box, and take it to a UPS store (or you can probably call for UPS pickup). Since it was their mistake, they pay for shipping. When they made a mistake for something my wife ordered, they made it right by shipping the replacement overnight at no cost. Even when its a mistake I made (ordered some electrical part that were the wrong color) the return shipping was only about $2.
redpoint73 said:
Amazon is high volume, and they can afford to cut prices by not having a brick and mortar stores. Plus their logistics (delivery network) are unmatched. All of this means they can pretty much undercut most the competition on price (and therefore attract higher sales volume), and still make enough profit to be successful.
The purchase is direct from Amazon, correct (and not a 3rd party vendor that sells on Amazon as a portal)? If its the same listing I am looking at, it is. Amazon is really reliable. But mistakes just get made once in a while.
Merchandise returns are extremely easy on Amazon, in the event you end up having to do one. They give you a UPS label to print out, just slap it on the box it shipped in and seal the box, and take it to a UPS store (or you can probably call for UPS pickup). Since it was their mistake, they pay for shipping. When they made a mistake for something my wife ordered, they made it right by shipping the replacement overnight at no cost. Even when its a mistake I made (ordered some electrical part that were the wrong color) the return shipping was only about $2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. You just gave me the most detailed answer. Thank you. I already ordered. Hoping to get what I wanted. Thank you again for that very detailed response.
No problem, happy it helped.
I'm selling my G2 guys. I bought a G4 and am awaiting it's arrival this week. I know the G4 isn't as high end as it really should have been, but I really want to try that camera out. Also, the unlocked bootloader sounds awesome.MOD EDIT: No selling/trading/buying on XDA. Use swappa.com and you may have a discreet link to sale in signature only
$229..? No offense but that's way out there. Mint condition Sprint G2's are going for less than $150 on CList. Actually got my current G2 for $100 (not the norm, but lucky me). Even brand new GSM (unlocked) models are on eBay for $189, and we all know the CDMA models usually go for less.
Good luck.
ROFL ...$229 OP.. Seriously!??! Yeah good luck with that. Greed kicking in too much here OP.
I know its more than I'll get for it. It's just a buy it now price. The reserve price is wayyyyy lower. I always throw a rather high buy it now on auctions. It has an Otterbox and ZAGG shield as well. You're right tho, I will lower the BIN to $200.
Edit: eBay wont let you adjust the buy it now
Thread closed
No selling/buying/trading on XDA